Bookrack

ABSTRACT

A self-contained bookend-bookrack structure, adjustable in width, and also adjustable in angle of relationship between the vertical ends, so as to accommodate books but more especially ring-binders or binders containing many or thick pasteups wherein the covers are not necessarily parallel but may form either an acute or an obtuse angle when the covers are closed.

United States Patent 1191 Mark [ BOOKRACK [76] Inventor: Margaret F. Mark, P.O. Box 1267,

Chicago, 1111 60690 22 Filed: Dec. 23, 1971 211 Appl. No.: 211,405

[52] U.S. Cl 211/43, 108/64, 211/175 [51] Int. Cl A47b 65/00 [58] Field of Search 211/43, 184, 42,

211/2, 175; 312/1404, 183; 220/8, 22.1; 206/45.17, 44 B, l A; 248/72; 108/64 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 923,721 6/1909 Smith 211/175 X 2,264,086 11/1941 Landau 211/43 1 Jan. 8, 1974 1,375,794 4/1921 McSheehy 220/8 ux FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 826,073 12/1959 Great Britain 211/184 Primary Examiner-Ramon S. Britts Assistant Examiner-Richard L. Stroup [5 7] ABSTRACT A self-contained bookend-bookrack structure, adjustable in width, and also adjustable in angle of relationship between the vertical ends, so as to accommodate books but more especially ring-binders or binders containing many or thick pasteups wherein the covers are not necessarily parallel but may form either an acute or an obtuse angle when the covers are closed.

4 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures BOOKRACK BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Conventional bookends or bookrack structures are generally of two basic types: pairs of separate bookends with or without protruding bases, to stand vertically alongside books to support them; or a type of stationary bookrack within which bookends may or may not be moved toward and away from each other. Both types provide support for rectangular objects. Conventional two-piece bookends are usually pushed aside by the non-parallel ring-binders; and conventional adjustable bookracks are usually wider than the movable end portions and thus usually require the same outer dimensional space when holding few books as when filled. This invention provides self-containment at any selected width between the vertical ends and at the same time provides adjustability in angle of relationship between the vertical ends.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention is comprised of paired bookend members pivotally connected together in the horizontal or shelf portions, preferably at a central point midway between the ends, to provide either a parallel or a nonparallel relationship between the vertical ends, so as to hold ordinary books but especially to conform with the generally changing shape of the internal rack space and supportive angle required by a group of ring-binders as their contents change from a few sheets to a great many, i.e., from a rounded-corner or pie-segment configuration formed by nearly empty ring-binders to a reversely curved configuration for a group of overstuffed binders containing thick pasteups. This invention is adjustable in width, is at the same time adjustable in angle of relationship between the vertical ends, and is totally self-contained at any selected width and angle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a plan view of the invention showing the two members joined at the point that provides the greatest width between the vertical end portions;

FIG. 2 is an elevational view of the same;

FIG. 3 is an isometric view of the invention revealing the overall appearance and the scope of the nonparallel feature;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view showing the form of the post or foot which serves as a pivot as well as means for supporting the ends of the bookrack structure; and

FIG. 5 shows an alternate two-piece construction for one of the bookend members.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Each of the paired members of this improved bookend-bookrack structure features a vertical end portion to prevent the books from falling sideways, a shelf portion 12 on which the books rest, and longitudinally spaced holes 14 along the longitudinal midline of the shelf portion to provide for the pivotal connection and action as well as the overall width adjustment of the connected members. The holes 16 adjacent to the vertical ends 10 of each of the members permit the placement of posts or feet 18 as a means of support for the entire structure.

The two members are joined together by overlapping the shelf portions and inserting a threaded and headed center post 20, also called the pivot post, through selected lapped midline holes 14, and securing both the assembly and the relative angular position of the members with a nut 22. To maintain a parallel end relationship, the center or pivot post may be inserted in any combination of lapped midline holes to provide greater or lesser width in the rack. For a non-parallel arrangement of the vertical end portions 10, the first hole of one shelf portion should be matched with the first hole in the other shelf portion, or the second hole of one shelf portion with the second hole in the other shelf portion, to provide symmetry. The hole position chosen will be either to widen or narrow the overall width between the vertical ends 10 of the structure.

Similar threaded and headed posts 18, similar to the post 20, inserted in the holes 16 near the vertical end portion of each member, and tightened with the nuts 22, serve as supports or legs for the ends of the structure, as beforementioned. These posts should be of a height to balance with or compensate for the height of that portion of the pivot post which is below the shelf. Each post 18 and 20 is covered with a rubber or plastic or similarly smooth tip 24 to protect the surface upon which the device rests. This tip may or may not also cover the nut.

Each bookend member may also be used separately, preferably against a wall for book support opposite the vertical end 10.

Each bookend member may be constructed in either of two ways: (1) a single right-angle piece combining the vertical end portion 10 and the shelf portion 12, as already mentioned; or (2) in two sections, one being a shelf portion 26 and the other a vertical portion having a flange 28 on the bottom in which are two holes positioned to match the latitudinally positioned holes 16 in the shelf portion, so that the shelf portion may be placed over the flange, and the posts inserted and tightened with the nuts to make the two parts one bookend member.

An alternate construction for the pivotal and adjustment connections of the shelf portions of the two members would be to connect the midline holes 14 in each shelf portion to make them one elongated slot, as will be readily understood by one skilled in this art.

An alternate construction for the feet that support the structure in the end portions if the vertical end and the shelf portion are made of one right-angle piece would be to omit the latitudinal holes 16 and to mount feet on the under side of each shelf portion near the vertical ends.

This invention should preferably be manufactured of sheet metal of sufficient strength to bear the weight of the objects to be placed within it. The posts should be of sufficient size to provide strength. They can vary in design, as can the type of nut and the rubber or plastic or other smooth tip which is applied to protect the furniture upon which the device rests.

Although but one specific embodiment of this invention is herein shown and described, it will be understood that details of the construction shown may be altered or omitted without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined by the following claims.

I claim:

l. A bookend-bookrack structure comprising a pair of right-angle bookend members each having a vertical end portion and a horizontal shelf portion, and means extending generally longitudinally of said horizontal shelf portion for pivotally and adjustably connecting the shelf portions of the two members at a point preferably midway between the two end portions to provide for adjustment of the angular relationship of the said end portions while also providing for adjustment of the width between the vertical end portions, said means comprising a pivot member and cooperating pivot member receiving means.

2. A device according to claim 1 wherein the cooperating pivot member receiving means is comprised of holes along the longitudinal midlines of the shelf portions.

3. A device according to claim 1 wherein the pivot member is comprised of a threaded and headed post extending through said cooperating pivot member receiving means and projecting from the bottom side of the shelf portion and a threaded connection with said post which when tightened holds securely together the shelf portions of said bookend members.

4. A device according to claim I wherein posts are also fastened to the shelf portion of each of said members at points adjacent to the end portion thereof, said posts projecting from the bottom side of each member a distance sufficient to compensate for the projecting length of the pivotal post and also to serve as feet for the bookend-bookrack structure, and also wherein a relatively soft and smooth protective tip is mounted on the projecting end of each of said posts, including the pivotal post. 

1. A bookend-bookrack structure comprising a pair of right-angle bookend members each having a vertical end portion and a horizontal shelf portion, and means extending generally longitudinally of said horizontal shelf portion for pivotally and adjustably connecting the shelf portions of the two members at a point preferably midway between the two end portions to provide for adjustment of the angular relationship of the said end portions while also providing for adjustment of the width between the vertical end portions, said means comprising a pivot member and cooperating pivot member receiving means.
 2. A device according to claim 1 wherein the cooperating pivot member receiving means is comprised of holes along the longitudinal midlines of the shelf portions.
 3. A device according to claim 1 wherein the pivot member is comprised of a threaded and headed post Extending through said cooperating pivot member receiving means and projecting from the bottom side of the shelf portion and a threaded connection with said post which when tightened holds securely together the shelf portions of said bookend members.
 4. A device according to claim 1 wherein posts are also fastened to the shelf portion of each of said members at points adjacent to the end portion thereof, said posts projecting from the bottom side of each member a distance sufficient to compensate for the projecting length of the pivotal post and also to serve as feet for the bookend-bookrack structure, and also wherein a relatively soft and smooth protective tip is mounted on the projecting end of each of said posts, including the pivotal post. 